The goal of The investigators community-based participatory research study is to identify the nature and extent of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among HIV-positive Latinos on the San Diego/Tijuana border. CAM use among US Latinos living with HIV is associated with delayed utilization of and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapies (ARVs) that may exacerbate health disparities in HIV care access and health outcomes. This study will lead to development of culturally-effective interventions to improve access and adherence to HIV care in Latinos who face health disparities. The investigators hypothesis is that greater use of CAM will be observed among HIV-positive Latinos who report a) crossing the U.S. border more frequently, and b) having migrated to Tijuana or San Diego (e.g. from southern Mexico). The investigators also hypothesize that compared to HIV-positive Latinos who report using herbal CAM, those who do not use herbal CAM are more likely to be receiving ARVs and report higher levels of adherence to ARVs; Compared to HIV-positive Latinos who do not attend religious services regularly, those who attend religious services regularly are more likely to be receiving ARV; Compared to HIV- positive Latinos who report experiencing HIV related stigma, those who do not report experiencing HIV-related stigma are significantly more likely to be receiving ARVs.

The population will be selected from 2 locations: 1. San Diego: San Ysidro Health Center(SYHC) will serve as the recruitment site on the US side of the border. Latinos comprise >90% of SYHC's patient population. SYHC provides HIV primary medical care to over 400 HIV-positive individuals. SYHC's HIV-positive Latino patient population includes persons who may or may not be on ARVs and who participate in clinic services to varying degrees. Previous studies with HIV-positive patients at SYHC indicate cross-border mobility and bi-national care seeking behavior in this clinic population. 2.Tijuana: The Agencia Familiar Binacional (AFABI;Binational Health Agency) opened the first HIV medical and social services agency clinic in Tijuana. This clinic is in close proximity to the municipal health clinic, where a large number of HIV-positive cases are diagnosed, and is linked with other non-profit social services agencies for HIV-positive persons, many of whom face barriers to ARVs.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Latino

Speak English or Spanish or both

Lived in San Diego or Tijuana for at least 1 month in the last year

18 years or older

HIV-positive or living with AIDS

Exclusion Criteria:

Non-Latino

Speak neither English nor Spanish

Have not lived in San Diego or Tijuana for at least 1 month in the last year

Under 18 years of age

Not HIV-positive or living with AIDS

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01152684